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12 Days of Turmoil in Libya; Student Wins $50K for College

Aired February 27, 2011 - 16:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Straight ahead in the NEWSROOM, clearing out protesters. Why police say it's time for them to leave Wisconsin's state capitol.

And tennis star Venus Williams is a world-class athlete who wants kids facing adversity to get a shot at going to college. How she is lending her star appeal to a nationwide scholarship program.

And it's Hollywood's biggest night of the year. We are live from the red carpet of the Oscars. You're in the CNN NEWSROOM. I'm Fredricka Whitfield.

We begin with the latest in Libya. The international discussion about Libya will have an American voice starting tomorrow. U.S. secretary of state Hillary Clinton attends a ministerial-level meeting of the U.N. Commission on Human Rights tomorrow in Geneva. She is on her way there right now.

Before leaving, she echoed President Barack Obama's and now the British foreign minister's sentiments that it's time for Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi to go. U.K. officials have also revoked the Gadhafi family's diplomatic immunity in Britain and we learned today that the British government is freezing their assets.

And our crew in Libya says they have seen armed civilians taking position on rooftops in a protester-controlled town near Tripoli. They are reportedly preparing to face troops loyal to the Libyan government in case they try to retake that town.

So, we are getting more information, too, about the deteriorating conditions in Libya from eyewitnesses there. One young Libyan woman, who we are not naming to protect her identity is actually joining us by phone. Hopefully you can hear me OK what are you noticing in terms of how there is deterioration of the lifestyle there?

All right. It looks like we are unable to connect with that young lady about how Libyans are enduring all that's transpiring there in Tripoli and beyond if we are able to re-establish that connection - oh, looks like we have her. OK. Caller, are you there?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.

WHITFIELD: OK. Give me an idea -

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I am here.

WHITFIELD: Give me an idea about what life has been like there in Tripoli.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: For the last 48 hours, it's been busy. People are starting to regain some sense of safety to go out and try to restock again. I'm not talking about people who are interested in buying luxury items like chocolates and biscuits. They are considered luxury today. I'm talking about people who are stocking up on essentials like cooking oil and flour to bake their own bread. I'm talking about people trying to buy as much water as possible because they don't trust whether tomorrow they will have tap water or not. People are just trying to do and have what they can have so they can do what they can do in order to survive because they (INAUDIBLE) situation.

(CROSSTALK)

WHITFIELD: In large part, too, are people staying inside or talk to me about the risks of those venturing to out to get to the store, to try to get some of those essentials.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Today, I have been out myself. I have been doing different chores in different areas in Tripoli. Most of the people are out, most of the women are out. Children have not started schools again, although some schools are trying so hard to get the students regain their studies so they can be on schedule, because they are far, far, far behind from their schedule.

But yet, the government had offered 500 Libyans per family, so a lot of people are trying to get that money. I'm not talking about middle class and upper class, I'm talking about a very, very low class trying to get whatever it can in order to survive. Most of the people I spoke with, they are not happy with it, they are not doing it because they are keen on Gadhafi staying in the regime. They are just accepting the money in order they can have something to survive with.

WHITFIELD: So you're saying some people are accepting the offer of the government doling out money, somewhere in the equivalent of about $400, is that right? At some of the banks while some don't trust the government, they're still taking advantage of that and taking the money?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No, they are. Part is boycotting. They are boycotting the government and anything that comes from the government. I am boycotting the government and anything that comes from it. I want it to be over.

WHITFIELD: All right. Thanks so much for your time, the caller coming from Tripoli, Libya there. We are concealing her identity for her own safety.

All right. Meantime, Libya has been steadily destabilizing for nearly two weeks now and thousands of people, mainly non-Libyan workers have been finding themselves out of work and in a place where they simply don't feel safe. About 40,000 of them fled west to the border with Tunisia and that's where CNN's Ivan Watson is.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) IVAN WATSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (on camera): These are just some of the estimated 40,000 people who have fled across the border from Libya here to Tunisia in just the last week. Most of these people are Egyptian migrant workers, day laborers, who are fleeing the bloodshed and the violence in Libya. And it's difficult to even call this situation a camp because some of the men we have spoken with say they have spent two, three, four nights sleeping out here in the cold, out on the streets. Sir, you've been here? One day? Two days?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: One day

WATSON: One day? Sleeping right here?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Two days?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: When we come from Tripoli to Tunisia, they take our laptops, six laptops (INAUDIBLE) take my mobile -

WATSON: Who took your laptop and mobile?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Military.

WATSON: Military? Libyan soldiers?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Libyan soldiers.

WATSON: The Tunisian military says they need more help perhaps from the United Nations, from aid organizations to help deal with this exodus of humanity. Tunisian civil society is stepping forward. We have seen convoys of Tunisian vehicles, volunteers coming in, bringing in help, bringing in support and even organizing demonstrations here against Moammar Gadhafi, where they have been waving the pre-1969 Libyan free color flag that has become a symbol against Gadhafi. We are seeing a show of support from Tunisia. The first Arab country to launch this pro-democracy movement, support for Libya's own democratic uprising.

But as you can see here, the numbers of people just get bigger and bigger, day after day. And the fear is that bloodshed gets worse, that these scenes could get worse as well, if Libyans join the flow of refugees escaping the violence in their country.

Ivan Watson, CNN, near the Tunisian-Libyan border.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: All right. Another one of our correspondents in the region there, is also joining us. Nic Robertson, it has been rather difficult for a lot of western journalists to be able to report from that area. You and a number of other western journalists had some very unique circumstances, right? Were you were being taken around various cities but this is what the government wants you to see?

WATSON: Fredricka, one would think that this is what the government wants us to see but when government officials today took us to the town of Zawiyah (ph), which is an important oil-refining town just 35 miles from the capital here, Tripoli, what we discovered was something that wouldn't be very pleasing for the leadership here. The government officials, when they let us out of the car, let us out right by what is effectively the front line in that town and we crossed over and there was a huge anti-government demonstration, some 2,000 people demonstrating against the government.

They said that 16 people have been killed at the intersection where we saw them. They were standing on top of tanks. They had anti-aircraft guns there. Some of them were armed, on the top of buildings. There were soldiers that had deserted the government forces, joined the opposition. And they told us they wanted the government of Moammar Gadhafi to be overthrown. They call him a blood sucker. They also said that they wanted more weapons. They were calling for more guns. So this is not really something that the government officials would necessarily want to take us to see but they took us to town and that's what we found there.

The government officials afterwards took us to see some pro-government rallies, two much smaller rallies, both apparently organized by government officials. When I asked somebody from the - one of the government officials later why - why did you take us, if you are the government, why didn't you take us to see an anti-government rally? And they said, well, that wasn't quite the plan, but that is what you wanted to do and that's what happened. So, they are not putting strict controls on us but they are taking us around to places were they think we should go. Fredricka?

WHITFIELD: Nic Robertson, thanks so much for that update.

Meantime, another big story we continue to watch right here in this country, no one seems to be budging in the budget battle in Wisconsin. The new governor's - is pitted against state workers and the unions. Our Ted Rowlands is right in the middle of it, inside the capital. So, Ted, protesters, they are supposed to be out of the building. It doesn't look like people are moving very quickly.

TED ROWLANDS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Not yet. Technically, Fredericka, they have another hour, however, we just talked to a member of the capital police here and they said they are going to start moving people out now and they have locked the doors outside so no more people can come in. Some people say they will leave when they are asked at 4:00 with no problems. Others, however, say they are going to stay.

One of the people that is going to stay here is Ann, a Madison native and Ann why are you going to stay? They are asking you please to leave just so that they can clean the place?

ANN: I feel it's important that our voices be heard. Democracy begins and ends right here in this building and obviously, Governor Walker has not been listening to the people of the state of Wisconsin and I think that we need to let him know we are serious.

ROWLANDS: You are willing to get arrested?

ANN: I am.

ROWLANDS: All right. Ann is one of those who is willing to get arrested. The governor meanwhile was on "Meet the Press" this morning. Here is what he had to say about the latest in this ongoing stalemate.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GOV. SCOTT WALKER (R), WISCONSIN: I'm an optimist. I'm an eternal optimist. As much as I understand there's passion and you know, in America, that's great, we can have passion and be civil about it, but in the end, I believe that those, at least some of those state senators will come back if we fail to pass this bill by Tuesday, we lose $165 million worth of savings.

We continue down that path and we start seeing layoffs. I know that was one of the most difficult decisions I ever had to make when I was a county official was considering layoffs. I would go to almost any ends to avoid that and my hope is at least one of those 14 state senators feel the same way.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROWLANDS: And of course, Fredericka, Democrats would say, "well, he could prevent all of that as well if he leans a little bit and gives in on that collective bargaining" but at this point, both sides are entrenched. 14 democratic senators remain in Illinois. The plan, according to police is move people out from the top of the capitol rotunda, first at the third level, then they'll move down to the second level, which we are on and then finally, the first level, we will see how it goes, starting here in an hour. See how many people actually leave without getting arrested. Fredericka.

WHITFIELD: All right. Tenuous moments there. Ted Rowlands, thanks so much in Madison, Wisconsin.

So people across the country have been turning out in support of Wisconsin workers. Take a look.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Save the dream. Save the dream.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: So, that's what it looked and sounded like in Denver yesterday, just one of the rallies organized in all 50 states.

And on to Olympia, Washington, about 2,000 people came out to show their support but there was also a separate demonstration. The people chanting for Wisconsin's governor.

And in Boston, union members and pro-union supporters packed the area all around the state house there, all taking part in what was billed as a national day of action.

All right. How to audit-proof your taxes or at least give it your best shot.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right. Time to talk about your money. This time, how to audit-proof your tax returns, we asked our financial experts, Ken and Daria Dolan for their advice. And let's admit it when it comes to the IRS, everyone is slightly paranoid.

DARIA DOLAN, PERSONAL FINANCE EXPERT: The fact of the matter is a lot of people don't take everything they are entitled to, particularly people who have home offices that they legitimately use.

KEN DOLAN, PERSONAL FINANCE EXPERT: Medical expenses.

DARIA DOLAN: Because they are afraid, "oh if I do take that, they are going to audit me." And what we are saying to you is take every last cent that you are entitled to because you're paying more than you need to and that's just foolish and we're going to show you how to stay out of trouble.

WHITFIELD: OK. So here are some of the things that you need to do. For starters, you say keep a log, be good bookkeepers -

DARIA DOLAN: Exactly.

WHITFIELD: -about what you are including in your tax -

KEN DOLAN: (INAUDIBLE) especially on things that are sent to the IRS. Daria just said home office deduction, medical expenses and travel and entertainment. Yikes. So you want to number one, keep a log. You say, "Oh, I can do that."

WHITFIELD: But then -

KEN DOLAN: Here is the catch.

DARIA DOLAN: Once a month, you take that long to a notary public.

KEN DOLAN: Or your banker.

DARIA DOLAN: Banks have one.

WHITFIELD: Oh, this is serious homework.

KEN DOLAN: Yes.

DARIA DOLAN: But it is just your protection and it is a way to avoid being audited.

KEN DOLAN: Wait till you get your notice.

DARIA DOLAN: Get it notarized every single month.

WHITFIELD: Wow.

DARIA DOLAN: Because if not, the IRS could if they decide to audit you, you say well, you just slapped this together, because you knew you were being audited. No, it's been notarized every single month.

KEN DOLAN: It's not like you have to drive 100 miles to a notary public. Some banks prefer to have them.

DARIA DOLAN: In many banks they're for free.

KEN DOLAN: They have them for free.

WHITFIELD: And when you say create an affidavit?

DARIA DOLAN: Yes.

KEN DOLAN: That's exactly -

WHITFIELD: I mean, this is really intimidating information.

KEN DOLAN: Yes, but did you ever think intimidation when the IRS is involved?

DARIA DOLAN: Well, yes, certainly.

KEN DOLAN: OK. Then don't be too quick. All we're just saying is, with the notary public or a sworn affidavit saying what I'm saying to you is true, one of them, that is all it is, a sworn affidavit. In the last someone, it's is a form. It's right here, not many people know about, it's called Form 8275. It's called a disclosure statement and if you fill this out -

DARIA DOLAN: Hold it up. Maybe they can -

KEN DOLAN: I don't know. Michael, I don't know if you can see it or not but anyway, there it is and it basically says here is all - here is all the deductions that you may question and here's the documentation - and here is the documentation that I have. You can call 1-800-tax-form or get it online at IRS.gov.

DARIA DOLAN: Because look at it this way, if you're an IRS person and you want to audit a tax return if you got one tax return with this and one with nothing, which one do you think you're going to call for an audit?

WHITFIELD: Interesting.

DARIA DOLAN: The one with nothing, because this one, there's 90 percent chance that there's nothing to be changed.

KEN DOLAN: A very good web site, Dan Pillar, our good friend who fights the IRS, he very good at tax help online.com is very good. Talks - dolans.com does, too, but Dan Pillar specializes at tax help online.com.

WHITFIELD: And I love this advice but say we don't adhere to all of those thing, you need to hold onto your receipts, your documentations.

KEN DOLAN: No doubt. WHITFIELD: Is it seven years or is that changing?

DARIA DOLAN: No, no, no seven years is - usually for bad credit.

KEN DOLAN: Three years, usually three years, six year if you have underestimated your income by 25 percent. Okay? Fraud. No statute.

DARIA DOLAN: t here's no statute of limitation on fraud.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: All right. The Dolans, you can get their financial advice for free, dolans.com.

And then take a look at the red carpet in Hollywood. Get ready for the 83rd Academy Awards. You see the little sunshine, lots of fans already lining the streets there, waiting for the stars to arrive.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right. Tennis great Venus Williams is part of a program that awarded $50,000 to a college student last night. I talked to both Venus and the winner and I will show you that in about one minute.

But first, a look at the top stories. CNN's Nic Robertson is in Libya and he reports that rebels now claim much of the country while Moammar Gadhafi still holds Tripoli. Today, the British government announced its freezing Gadhafi's assets in their country and echoing earlier remarks by President Barack Obama, Britain's foreign secretary said it's time for Gadhafi to give up power.

The people who have been protesting and sleeping at Wisconsin's state capitol for the past two weeks now have less than an hour to clear out. The state is closing the building and bringing in a cleaning crew. Demonstrators have been protesting a move to strip state workers of most of their collective bargaining rights.

And Hollywood's biggest stars are getting ready for the year's biggest event, the Oscars, 10 films are up for best picture including "The King's Speech" and "The Social Network." Live pictures right now. You see all the fans who are lining up, waiting for those limos to pull up with the stars. We have a live report from the red carpet in a few minutes from now.

All right. Tennis great Venus William has teamed up with Sun Life Financial to help deserving students pay for college. 22 students who had already won $5,000 each for college submitted essays to the Rising Star competition. Venus Williams was one of the judges and San Jose State University freshman Priscilla Elizalde was a winner of $50,000 for school.

Yesterday, I talked with both Venus and Pricilla, and I asked Williams how she got involved in this project.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) VENUS WILLIAMS, TENNIS STAR: I have been involved with Sun Life, with some of their Rising Stars last year and I just found it to be very intriguing. The young people were really on the ball, smart, successful already and really moving on to greater things and also giving back already, so I thought it was something great to be a part of and today, of course, today, I had the chance to meet Priscilla ant she has an amazing story of succeeding already at a young age and going to college and living her dreams already.

WHITFIELD: So this Sun Life along with the Dolphins Foundation, which you are a part owner of the Dolphins, Venus, helps give $200,000 in grants for higher education, college scholarships, Priscilla Elizalde, you are a San Jose State University freshman.

PRISICILLA ELIZALDE, SUN LIFE NATIONAL RISING STAR WINNER: Correct.

WHITFIELD: And you are the recipient of a $50,000 grant being awarded that through this Sun Life Rising Stars Award. Tell me about your essay and how that help kind of clinched the deal for you. What did you write about?

ELIZALDE: Well, the essay was based on three questions - what experiences in my life have shaped who I am today, what are my study habits and what would I give advice to for students that are in high school now and I just pretty much wrote about past experiences with school, all the negativity that I had growing up and then the only positive stuff that I had was, like, my parents and my after school program, Barrio Logan College Institute.

I really had a lot of support from them and but other than that I grew up in a place where people don't usually pursue higher education, so it was kind of difficult for me and my brother - none of my older siblings or family members have gone to college, so I'm the first one.

WHITFIELD: Venus, you are one of the judges of this Rising Star Award, so you read a whole lot of essays to help make a decision. Were there any essays that really touched you when you thought to yourself, oh, this child really is deserving of a grant, a scholarship?

WILLIAMS: Well, it's every - every one of them are deserving. They are all doing so many positive things in their life and as a young person to do something positive, it's already a success. So, to pick one story, to choose one over the other is so difficult, unfortunately, it has to happen but really, they are all just amazing.

WHITFIELD: So what do you tell to Priscilla and others about following your passion and allowing that to be the thing that keeps you on track?

WILLIAMS: Yes. So, for some of us, we have positive role models in our lives, our parents, sisters, in my example, in my case but sometimes we don't. It is so important to surround yourself with positive people who motivate you and not people who bring you down or bring themselves down. That is so important and also to always believe in yourself and it is OK to take a chance and believe in yourself, it pays off, so I do tell young people that all the time.

WHITFIELD: And so Priscilla, you are now in a position where you can be inspiring a lot of other young people your age and perhaps a lot of other younger kids in your neighborhood. What would you tell them about how to stay on track the way you did so that you could pursue your college education?

ELIZALDE: Well, I think the main thing is it doesn't matter where you come what matters is what you want and what you want in life and how you plan on doing it. I think that everyone, if you really want something, you just work hard and you can achieve anything you want and you set your mind to. It is not hard. Just think positive. Like Venus said, socialize with the people who want the same goals as you and who are trying to get to the same place as you are, always study and always give it your 100 percent.

WHITFIELD: All right. And Venus, you are always giving your 100 percent. I know in the Australian Open, you had a thigh injury, you also had, was a groin injury as well that meant, you had to stop playing during the Australian Open? How are you feeling now? Will you be in the NASDAQ? Are you looking toward French and I know your favorite, Wimbledon?

WILLIAMS: Yes, I'm looking forward to it all. I miss being on the court. It was really heartbreaking for me to have to withdraw from the Australian. But looking back, I know I gave it my all, maybe more than my all, and it's a great learning experience for me. So I'm looking forward to playing Sony Erickson in Miami and the French Open, of course, hopefully wear something else fun this year and Wimbledon.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: And we will be watching.

Meantime, the United States government now running on financial fumes. We'll talk about what lawmakers are doing to keep the federal government from shutting down.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right. U.S. lawmakers are working this weekend to try to keep the federal government's wheels turning and those wheels turn only with money. CNN's deputy political director Paul Steinhauser takes a look at some polls that asked Americans how they want their lawmakers to approach a shutdown.

PAUL STEINHAUSER, CNN, DEPUTY POLITICAL DIRECTOR: Hey, Fred. Compromise, that's what it seems Americans want when it comes to the budget battle between Democrats and Republicans. Six out of ten say they want their lawmakers in Congress to seek compromise on the budget that according to a "USA Today" Gallup poll conducted a few days ago. That is almost double the 32 percent who say they want their lawmakers to stick to their guns, even if that means there would be government shutdown.

Some suggested that a lot of people want Congress to make big cuts. Two percent nearly half say the Democrats' budget proposal don't chop enough spending and nearly four in ten say the GOP plans don't go far enough. The poll also indicates that the public is divided on which side is doing a better job in this budget battle. Forty two percent say congressional Republicans and 39 percent say President Obama and congressional Democrats. Now politically that's important because neither party wants to get blamed for a government shutdown if it happens.

Fred.

WHITFIELD: All right. Thanks so much, Paul.

Well, the newsmakers, lawmakers and governors who made the TV rounds this weekend did touch on that looming federal government shut down but events overseas made most of the weekend's talk shows. So, take a look.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. JOHN MCCAIN, (R) ARIZONA: I understand that America's security and safety of American citizens is our highest priority. It is not our only priority.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You sound slightly critical if I'm reading between the lines of the Obama administration, kind of holding back on its criticism of Libya, administration officials tell us they were worried that Americans in Libya would be taken hostage or worse.

MCCAIN: Well the British prime minister and the French president and others were not hesitant and they have citizens in that country. America leads. America is -- here we have been to these countries and every place we go. They are looking to America for leadership, for assistance, for moral support and ratification of the sacrifices they made in defense of democracy. America should lead.

SEN. JOSEPH LIEBERMAN, (L) CONNECTICUT: I understand why the administration hesitate at the beginning because of the concern about American personnel in the embassy but frankly I wish we had spoken out much more clearly and early against the Gadhafi regime.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The president of the United States, President Obama, has called on your father to step down what do you think about that?

SAIF AL-ISLAM GADHAFI, MOAMMAR GADHAFI'S SON: First of all, it's not American business. That is number one. Second of all, do you think this is a solution? It isn't.

GOV. SCOTT WALKER, (R) WISCONSIN: This is our moment in Wisconsin's history. It is one of those where for year after year after year, not just the last governor but governors before, legislatures before have kicked the can. They have taken one-time fixes to push the budget problems off into the future. We can't do that we are broke.

GOV. DANNEL MALLOY, (D) CONNECTICUT: Do think the Democrats look great in this? No. Do I think what's happening in Wisconsin is a travesty? The answer is yes. We should not be attacking people's rights to join organizations. I mean, it's un-American, quite frankly.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You think it would be a good idea to shut the government down?

GOV. CHRIS CHRISTIE, (R) NEW JERSEY: I don't, unless that's the only way to forward your principles and I think that they are going to be able to find a way to find compromise that protects the principles that, you know, the folks in my party got elected on and the ones that are important to Democrats. I mean, their job is to solve these problems and not just to stand in a corner and hold their breath.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: All right. No talk of government shutdowns or budget battles on the red carpet. That's where Hollywood is getting ready for tonight's big bash, the Oscar bash. Our Brooke Anderson poise and pretty and ready to go in that periwinkle, a little alliteration on the PS there. Brooke, we will meet up with you on the red carpet right after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Welcome back. Live pictures right now of the red carpet and right in the middle there you saw Brooke Anderson. We will be joining her in a moment.

But first, we are going to take a look at the top stories.

More protests in Libya as foreign nationals scramble to get out. The escalating unrest is on the minds of world leaders. President Barack Obama and Britain's foreign minister both say it is time for Libyan Dictator Moammar Gadhafi to go. U.S. secretary of state Hillary Clinton will likely discuss Libya during a U.N. meeting on human rights in Geneva tomorrow.

The response to a teacher buyout program in Dallas has been overwhelming. In the first day alone about 500 teachers signed up. Teachers whose resignations are accepted will get up to $10,000 each. Critics say schools will lose too many experienced educators but the school district is trying to avoid budget problems and layoffs.

Atlanta has about 150 fewer apartments today. Take a look at this within seconds, this demolition implosion; this was the Roosevelt House, one of the city's first public housing projects for the poor. It was built in 1930s and named after President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. The last residents left just about two years ago.

And in a little over two hours from now the stars will be arriving on the red carpet. Right now, our own star, Brooke Anderson is there looking ever so lovely there and already a lot of fans have turned out. They are ready.

BROOKE ANDERSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Did you know there are 700 bleacher seats, Frederica. I have been speaking to some of them and they have come from all over the country, all over the world to be here for the 83rd Annual Academy Awards. They actually applied online on the Oscars website back in September and we are told they made the cut late last year. So they are really thrilled to be here, have been going nuts when they see anybody in a pretty dress walk down the red carpet but the real stars, the celebrities will be here in a couple of hours.

And like I said it is the 83rd Annual Oscars, Frederica so it has been around a really long time but Oscar producers have been working very hard to make the show look fresh, look new, look young again. And they are starting with their hosts, the very youthful and happily James Franco, 28 and 32 years old, they promise a lot of singing, dancing, comedy, and they have said if you are looking for mean- spirited jokes, a la Ricky Gervais from the Golden Globes, they are not your host. And Ann has said you know what. I'm only 28, I haven't been in Hollywood very long at all, and I haven't earned the right to do that yet.

Some other big changes for this year's telecast, they are having so called mommies, the mothers of nine Oscar nominees will be tweeting throughout the telecast and the Oscar producers will be using that, trying to update and trying to modernize things around here. Also there is going to be like a virtual set, they are going to utilize a lot of projection screens and no more long movie montages, I was relieved to hear that Frederica. Short film clips, yes, but no more long montages, so hopefully things will have a brisker, livelier, more energetic pace.

WHITFIELD: And of course Brooke, I'm looking at you but I'm also looking at all the activity behind you, a lot of folks as they get ready for a lot of the stars to take to the red carpet. Am I looking at lot of security or are we looking at a lot of handlers of a lot of those stars who are going to kind of guide them to various cameras, et cetera?

ANDERSON: Yes. Yes. Well, the academy has this thing locked down pretty tight with security. I mean, I think I had to go through about three or four metal detectors just to make it a couple blocks to the red carpet here on Hollywood Boulevard. But yes, basically, we have got media who are showing up. We have got extra. We have got all the entertainment outlet's and yes, publicists and security of the stars are making their way, trying to scope out the scene first and to see that everything is safe and secure for their arrival. Very serious.

WHITFIELD: And they are looking very serious, but we know they are also having fun, too. All right, Brooke Anderson, we will check back with you throughout the evening. Thanks so much. Of course, we will be checking and you "Showbiz Tonight's" A.J. Hammer for the live red carpet access to the stars and access to the Oscars, road to gold airs tonight, 7 Eastern on CNN. Then at 11 Eastern, see the most compelling moments from the Academy Awards Show on our sister network, HLN.

And as we talk about the best in film, now the worst in film. The Razzie awards. Well, they were handed out last night. Here is a quick look. Worst actor, Ashton Kutcher for both the movie "Killers" and "Valentine's Day." And worst actress, all four of the ladies from "Sex in the City 2." The worst movie of 2010 went to "The Last Air Bender." That film also picked up the worst director, worst screenplay, worst supporting actor and new category, worst eye-gouging misuse of 3-d. Ouch on all of that.

Also ouch on stormy skies and tornado watches, too, we will update you on the weather straight ahead.

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WHITFIELD: Pretty somber music for a solemn anniversary. People in Chile gathered this morning to honor the victims of the country's deadly earthquake one year ago today, 521 people were killed, thousands of others left homeless. Let's look back now as Karl Penhaul reports on the tragedy.

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KARL PENHAUL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): In the area of Conception, where we are right now, a search by firefighter rescue crews is going on in a 15-story building. The building that you can see behind me was actually a new building and it simply fell on its side in that earthquake. Now firefighter team leaders say they have pulled out survivors alive. They have pulled out dead. They also believe that up to 40 to 50 other people are somewhere still inside that building, possibly inside the stairwell.

They say they have heard no signs of life for the last 24 hours but they say that they are not ruling out that some people may still be alive inside this building.

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WHITFIELD: That was one year ago today. Dozens of people are still considered missing rebuilding efforts are apparently more than halfway completed.

Our Karen Maginnis in the Weather Center talking about our own very threatening conditions.

KAREN MAGINNIS, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Yes, we are really watching that and it is going to get fired up, Frederica and it is firing up across the plain states, already getting reports of some quarter-sized hail in eastern Kansas. Now, we still have that moderate risk out and I will show you kind of a different graphic here in just a second. But pretty much in this area, extending from Little Rock all the way up toward Lexington, we are seeing a couple of just thundershowers and that's about it.

The severe weather that we are looking at, as I mentioned, is over in Kansas, this is where they are really under the gun, with severe thunderstorm watch and a tornado watch in effect until 9 p.m. Central Time. It is this area, along Interstate 35, where we are seeing some of that severe weather breaking out right now. Already in this orange- shaded area, they picked up a couple of thunderstorms, some strong wind gusts, could see two-inch sized hail associated with this. We have got live picture out of Nashville, Tennessee. No, Nashville, you are not seeing severe weather just yet, but yes, very ominous-looking clouds outside right now and I do say that it does look like you could see the severe weather threat make its way toward you right around 10 p.m. to midnight local time. Lots to watch over the next few hours.

WHITFIELD: Thank you. All right, Karen.

Using art to make change, an endangered species gets help from some middle schoolers.

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WHITFIELD: Development along U.S. coastlines is endangering sea turtles and their habitats. But some eighth grade art students in Rockdale County, Georgia, aimed to change that one turtle at a time.

SARAH MURRAY, GEORGIA AQUARIUM BIOLOGIST: They are an intricate part of the chain out there the wildlife out there we just hate to lose this species completely, You know? They are part of the balance, for sure. And without them, then a piece would be missing.

Good morning, guys. Welcome to the Georgia Aquarium.

Loggerhead sea turtles are endangered. Unfortunately, a lot of their habitats are getting destroyed along the beaches, where they like to make nests.

KENNETH DAVIS, 8TH GRADER: It was the first time I ever saw a sea turtle in person. When we came there he was so excited to see us.

QUAHMAYLA BROOKS, 8TH GRADER: Sea turtles are actually not only important but they are really magnificent to look at, the way they are in the water.

MURRAY: And what are some of the reasons why they are becoming endangered or why they are endangered? Ancely (ph) name one?

SAMANTHA GODWIN, 8TH GRADER: Sketches of Murphy over here and we are going to make these little clay models that we are going to sell so that we can raise money to actually adopt some sea turtles.

DAVIS: I really think it is going to help make a difference, because not only for us, maybe other schools will say, hey this pretty much is a good idea, we should probably do the same. You don't have to be a certain age to help out sea turtles that are endangered.

KHAYREE ACKLIN, 8TH GRADER: I really didn't think I was going to actually like be doing a project of something that is important to the world.

MURRAY: I think that's awesome, I mean, having eighth graders take such a stance and initiative to write letters to Congress and to care about these animals, think is absolutely great we need all the help we can get.

KATY KING, DAVIS MIDDLE SCHOOL ART TEACHER: I can teach the kids that this case we are a voice for change that we can make people aware and I think that's the purpose of an educator is to make kids know that.

MURRAY: They should want them for their children as well. They should want them around for future generation to come for their great, great grandchildren.

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WHITFIELD: And over the past month, students have written hundreds of letters to their local and national representatives in hopes of getting a national sea turtle protection act proposed to Congress.

Ahead, my face-to-face interview with supermodel Iman, now business mogul. How she used diplomacy to get ahead.

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WHITFIELD: In cult throat industry of top modeling, the hugely popular fashion magazine cover girl and show stopping walk model known simply as Iman prove that you don't have to be mean to get ahead. Quite the contrary, Iman, the daughter of a Somali diplomat used her cunning (INAUDIBLE) and grace to keep and make peace despite so much around her trying to stir the plot. For example, when Iman sense people in the industry wanted to pit her against the first black model on "Vogue's" cover, Beverly Johnson, Iman shocked everyone, including Johnson.

At the moment, though, you were not just an agent of change for you, but it is almost as if you made a conscious decision for everybody, every black model in the industry that if I'm going to make certain gains, then they will, too, and that was extraordinary because people thought maybe you would be pitted against, at the time, the black model was Beverly Johnson.

IMAN, CEO, IMAN COSMETICS: And they did. And they did.

WHITFIELD: That's what they wanted?

IMAN: Yes. And they did. And as I said, I'm a political person and also I come from a place that this didn't mean anything to me. And I never understood it, when they started pitting me against Beverly Johnson who was the top -- keep on saying black mold, one of the top models of her time, I mean, I had a conversation with her because we were in Italy and she was working for Bizarre Italia and I was working for Vogue Italia. And we were both having covers at the same time and 20 pages inside each and they wanted me to stay, I was on my way to Paris and they wanted me to stay an extra day to shoot another five pages or something.

And I said I couldn't but Beverly Johnson is here, right? They said, no, no, no, it won't work. And Beverly called me and she said no black model has ever done this before. So and she felt that I was saying, well, there is no competition. I said there isn't. I don't personal -- if they ever thought of it before, that they could replace one black girl for another, I said that time has to change now. 'Cause I think both of us can work at the same time and we did.

WHITFIELD: That was the diplomat in you?

IMAN: That is the diplomat in me.

WHITFIELD: Because even in this day and age no matter what industry, people are like every man for him or herself?

IMAN: Yes.

WHITFIELD: And whatever opportunity there is for me too, bad the next guy didn't get it I'm going to take it.

IMAN: Yes.

WHITFIELD: How come you didn't abide by that?

IMAN: I think there is strength in number. There is strength in number and there is strength in changing the status quo. I think there is strength in it, because you know, we both found out that at an industry that just gave a black model, one black model at one given time, not two have to be one to or dethrone one to get another one on. It was a brand new day. We both worked at the same time. So the status quo changed.

WHITFIELD: Became great friends.

IMAN: Friends and hence after that why you can have a Tyra Banks, a Naomi Campbell, Leah all these black girls working at the same time was nonexistent before.

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WHITFIELD: In my continuing conversation with Iman, next hour, face- to-face she talks about -giving back and the effect her charity work is having.

Don't forget to check out my blog on CNN.com for more of that interview.